- Adelami, Oladiji, Akinterinwa, Poroye, Ekungba, Adewinle, Ajanaku to speak, as Mrs Aiyedatiwa, Ajulo, Osamaye, Meshe, FUTA VC, Takuro, Elegbeleye for other roles
- Line up: Symposium, Free medical outreach, Illegal Night, Children’s Party, Great Trek, Award Nite
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, APC vice chairman, Hon Isaacs Duerimini Kekemeke; interior minister, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and his Youths Development counterpart, Hon Ayodele Olawande are among the eminent dignitaries expected at the coming 2025 Press Week PEN-GANZA celebrations of the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
The week-long celebrations will kick off on Sunday, December 14th, with a Church Thanksgiving at Favoured Generation Prophetic Mission, Fanibi Area, Akure by 9:00am
Activities lined up aim at promoting wellness, professional excellence and stronger stakeholders engagements.
A statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the 2025 Press Week Committee, Banjo Egunjobi and the Secretary, Jacob Akintunde, said activities will continue on Monday 15th December, with a free medical outreach for journalists, veteran journalists and their spouses at Press Centre Clinic at 10:00am, to be followed Press Week Charity Visitation to the Ondo State Children’s Correctional Centre, Akure by 2:00pm.
It said the free medical outreach which will be carried out in collaboration with the Ondo State Health Commission, will feature health talk, fasting, blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks and other medical evaluations, all aimed at improving the well-being of journalists in the state.
According to the statement, the Opening Ceremony/Symposium/Public Lecture will hold on Tuesday 16th December at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka Akure.
The Special Guests are Aiyedatiwa; Tunji-Ojo; Olawande; DG, ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun; and Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Idowu Ajanaku
Kekemeke will chair the occasion.
The Lead Speakers are: the Ondo State Representative in the Board of the South West Development Commission, Dr Jide Adewinle; the Immediate Past Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa; the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye and an APC Strong Chieftain, Chief Jamiu Ekungba.
Chief Host is the NUJ National President, Com. Alhassan Yahya while Prince Leke Adegbite, the Ondo State NUJ Chairman, is the Host at the occasion.
The 2025 Ondo Press Week Theme is; “Innovative Pathways for Journalists Amidst Economic, Security and Political Challenges”.
Other lined-up activities include; Health Walk/Great Trek and Love Feast on Wednesday 17th December by 6:00am; Novelty Match/Inter-Chapel Football final, and Illegal/Asun Night will hold on Thursday 18th December, at the Press Centre to be powered by the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
Jumat Service will hold on Friday 19th December at the Government House Mosque, Alagbaka Akure, while the Press Week Children’s Party holds the same day at the Press Centre.
Ondo State First Lady, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa will be the Mother of the day, while the State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye is the special guest of honour.
On Saturday 20th, there will be final matches of Indoor Games that is being sponsored by the NPFL Chairman, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye.
The Press Week will climax on Sunday, 21st December, with a Grand Finale; Pen-Ganza and Award Nite at the Press Centre.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, RT Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo; members of the State Executive Council; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, and the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Ademola Olapade among other top distinguished Nigerians.
Those to be honoured during PEN-GANZA & Award Nite are the Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro; Prof. Adenike Oladiji, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA); a Global Security Expert, Mr Olufemi Meshe; Permanent Secretary of Ondo State Government House and Protocols, Alhaji Mudashiru Adegbeha; and a Businessman, Oluomo Olugbenga Olayinka.
Other Award Recipients are a Businessman and Philanthropist, Otunba Yomi Akingbade; the Director of Media at NARSDA and Media Expert, Dr Felix Babatunde Ale; Director General in Ondo State, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin; and Hon (Otunba) Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju representing Ondo West constituency 1 and Parliamentary Secretary of the State House of Assembly.
The NUJ leadership says the 2025 Press Week will provide an opportunity for journalists to reflect, celebrate excellence, build professional networks, and strengthen their health and capacity for service.
